RV Destinations Quiz (Infographic)

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RV Destinations Quiz(Infographic)

Many of us consider an RV road trip a rare -- and sometimes harrowing -- experience in family fun. Take this quiz to discover the ideal camping spot for you and your family. Then start packing up your Rv and planning your next trip!

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After Christmas Blowout Sale @Cal Expo RV Show

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Starts: December 26 @ 9:00am

Ends: December 30 @ 7:00pm

Location: Cal Expo

1600 Exposition Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95818

RVshowUSA.com is your one-stop site for information about RV shows in your area. Our free RV shows feature the best new motorhomes, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and travel trailers from leading RV manufacturers, giving you the opportunity to find the perfect RV for your budget and lifestyle.

The RV brands vary at each show and include new RVs from top names like Winnebago, Tiffin, Fleetwood RV, American Coach, Heartland, Thor Motor Coach, Dutchmen, Leisure Travel Vans, Roadtrek, Vanleigh RV, Envoy RV and more! RV shows also offer a great selection of certified used motor homes and other used RVs.

Many of the RV shows are in the country’s top RV destinations, including Arizona, Florida, California, and New Mexico. RV show parking and admission are often free and many even allow you to bring your pets.

You can take your time browsing everything from Class A diesel pushers to small travel trailers – all in one place. At RV shows, there is something for every lifestyle and budget, and representatives are readily available to answer any questions you may have to help you find the RV that’s perfect for you and your family.

Go ahead and Experience Life in an RV! Owning an recreational vehicle can take you across the country and to your favorite destinations without leaving the comforts of home behind.

Are you ready to see all the RV lifestyle has to offer? Check out the RV show this week.

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Winter Camping Destinations

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La Mesa RV
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Winter Destinations (Infographic)

Winter travel has more options than ski trips and beach getaways. Whatever direction that you are heading you will find some beautiful, affordable off-season camping options that won't leave you snowed in.

Forget what you may have heard—camping isn’t just an activity for the summer months. No matter what time of year, rustic escapes around America welcome travelers, along with their tents and RVs, for nights of roasted marshmallows, cookouts, and campfire songs in some of the country’s most spectacular locales. Turn off your cell phone, take a deep breath of fresh air, and plan an off-season excursion to one of these year-round campgrounds.

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The 7 Best Glamping Spots for Winter

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The 7 Best Glamping Spots for Winter

Fancy camping is the way to go "no bugs, no backaches," but the same spectacular views. So pack your luggage and leave your sleeping bags at home. These seven glamping gotos merge indoor luxury with the great outdoors.

Dunton River Camp Dolores, Colorado

Choose from mountain or river tents at Dunton River Camp, a gem of a Colorado glamping getaway in the middle of a romantic ghost town. From either campsite, you can take in epic alpine valley views from chaise lounges and cruise mountain and river trails. Oh, and each tent comes with two mountain bikes! (Did we mention your tent has a six-foot tub and Wi-Fi, too?) You'll be hard-pressed to ever consider a hotel room again.

Why not celebrate the National Park Service's one-hundredth birthday in style? Under Canvas "a company that crafts private glamping experiences across the country”, lets travelers cozy-up just outside of Acadia National Park on a private island. Their Maine adventure includes a private chef (hello, fresh New England lobster!), a kayaking tour, a clambake, and (of course) luxe tents with king-sized beds. Ahh.

Marfa might be a small town(the population is just about 2,000)but it's seriously big on southwestern culture and style. (Shout out to Prada Marfa!) Free spirits will fall in love with the bunkhouse vibe at El Cosmico, where you can choose from chic vintage trailers, yurts, tents, and teepees complete with heated mattress pads and vibey southwestern decor. Chill in a wood-fired hot tub, check out art galleries in town, and take in Texas stars in the property's "hammock grove."

If you're going to travel as far as the remote Canadian wilderness (and sleep within a biosphere reserve), you might as well take advantage of your surroundings and stay in a tent. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort has 20 not-your-average options: roomy and opulent tents with majestic beds, antique furniture, and wood stoves. Pull yourself away for archery, horseback riding, or a trip to the hot springs.

A tent in the middle of Montana never looked so good. The Resort at Paws Up is real rustic luxury featuring five wild-west camps sitting on a bluff above the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek. The tents aren't too shabby either: They boast heated floors, master bathrooms, and outdoor Japanese soaking tubs. Plus, you can take advantage of the resort's adventures like rock rappelling, white-water rafting, or fly-fishing. Need something on-site? Just ask your camping butler: Each site has its own personal Jeeves. (Seriously.)

This adults-only campsite of decked-out yurts sits on an endangered animal preserve. (Fun fact: It's owned by the Columbus Zoo). But a little more than an hour outside of Columbus, Ohio, you won't find city living, rather wide-open skies, an on-site chef, and heavenly amenities like bamboo floors and private decks. Your stay comes with two safari tickets so you can see this country's wildlife up close and personal.

You'll have to hike one mile to get to this Cali campsite of 30 tented cabins among sky-high sequoias. But the views consist of panoramics of Kings Canyon, hiking trails, breezy meadows, and bubbling streams are worth it. So are the perks: five-course candlelit dinners, night skies perfect for stargazing, and cozy beds where you can doze off in premium linens, anyone? Babes who live at sea level, beware: The camp's altitude is 8,282 feet, so give your body some time to adjust.

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Best of North America Roadside Oddities

12:30:00 PM
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The Best Advice on the Eco-friendliness of Living in a RV

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Is living in an RV environmentally friendly?

Ask yourself this question:Can you drive a 35-foot motorhome and still be conscious about the environment around you?
The Answer: YES!
To the non-RVing onlooker, though, traveling by RV equates to a gas-guzzling behemoth that is destroying the environment.
The biggest culprits related to energy consumption and environmental concerns are, of course, the fossil fuels burned getting from point A to point B in our RVs. But when compared to air travel, RVs â€” even at 7 to 10 miles per gallon â€” are the better choice environmentally.
In an edition of the weekly periodical The Nation, an article stated the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by jets during air travel are around 270 percent greater than those of average emissions caused by driving the same distance. George Monbiot, the author, went on to say that this makes air travel "one of the most destructive things we can do."

Advancements in RV Manufacturing

Eighty percent of RVs sold in the United States are nonmotorized, and 20% of RV owners have a diesel tow vehicle or motorhomes, promoting greater fuel efficiency. Check out the new ideas and technologies being employed by the RV industry to create a growing market of products that are more environmentally friendly:Lighter: Aluminum, fiberglass, renewable bamboo and other eco-friendly space-age composites are used to build lighter RVs, making a difference in fuel efficiency and tow weights.Smaller: While there will always be owners looking for the large models, manufacturers' creative floor plan designs efficiently work many desirable on-board amenities into smaller footprints without feeling cramped.Efficient: The lighter building materials coupled with more fuel-efficient chassis production means compact RVs rival the MPGs of some large SUVs and pickups.Aerodynamic: Manufacturers are designing stylish, sleek front-ends to address wind resistance.Eco-Friendly: RV manufacturers are making increased use of green textiles, renewable woods, power-saving LED light fixtures and eco-friendly sealants and components. And not only are the RVs earth-friendlier, but manufacturers are employing green practices in the manufacturing process.

Ways to improve RV fuel economy

For starters, slow down. Speeding and rapid acceleration reduce fuel economy from 5 to 33 percent, depending on your individual driving habits. Here are seven other simple ways to lower fuel consumption:1. Check and adjust the tire pressure to the proper inflation. This may increase fuel economy by 3 percent. It can also prevent premature tire wear and failures or blowouts caused by overinflated or underinflated tires. Tires can look normal when they are seriously underinflated.2. Use a clean air filter. It's simple, but may improve your fuel economy by up to 10 percent.3. Use overdrive whenever you can. It will save fuel by decreasing the engine speed.4. Use the cruise control whenever possible. This saves fuel because it keeps the vehicle at a constant speed rather than variable speeds. Note: This applies when you are driving on a relatively flat surface.5. Keep the RV tuned up and in top running condition. A poorly tuned engine may lower fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent.6. Poor emissions and/or a faulty oxygen sensor may cause a 40% reduction in fuel economy.7. Added weight, which you don't need, reduces fuel economy significantly. We're all guilty of this one.

Water consumption: House vs. RV

After arriving at your destination, the amount of energy consumed by a motorhome is far less than that of your home. By design, the RV is an environmentally friendly house. You have water-saving devices such as a 6- or 10-gallon water heater as compared to a 40- or 100-gallon water heater in a home. There is a water-saving toilet, and you aren't watering the lawn when you're RVing.
According to the American Water Works Association, the average U.S. residence uses about 110 gallons of water a day. An average RV family may probably use less than 40 gallons of water a day.
In addition to the built-in water-saving features of an RV, there are many other ways to lower the amount of water use. Here are a few ideas touted by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service:

When brushing your teeth, don't let the water run. Instead, half fill a glass and use that water to wet your brush and rinse your mouth.

When washing your hands or shaving, do not let the water run. Fill the basin and dip your hands or razor, as needed.

Turn off the shower while shampooing your hair.

Teach children water-saving techniques.

Take short showers, not baths. Limit showers to five minutes or less.

Install flow restrictors on individual water fixtures like shower heads and faucets. To automatically reduce flow and aerate the water.

Electricity use: Home vs. Motorhome

On the electric side of energy consumption, your RV uses less than your home too, even when the RV is plugged into a campground electrical service. It's more efficient to heat and cool the RV, simply because of the amount of space we are heating and/or cooling, as compared to our homes. Another reason is your RV has many devices that operate on 12-volt DC power, that at home would require 120-volt AC power to operate.
If your house uses LP-gas as an energy source for heat, cooking, and heating water, your home on wheels will use much less propane to do the same thing.

Renewable energy source: solar power

If you are really interested in reducing the carbon footprint left behind in your RV, and going green, you can start by looking at renewable energy sources. America depends on fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal for everything we do. Fossil fuels are not renewable energy sources and cause pollution whenever they are burned.
Renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels, can never be used up and does not cause pollution.
For RVers the most logical renewable energy source comes by the way of the sun. Solar energy is produced by the sun's rays. By using solar panels, batteries, and inverters, we have a way to harness this renewable energy for use in our RV. Solar energy is clean energy that never can be used up, doesn't pollute and is almost always available at no charge.
A typical solar power system for an RV consist of solar panels, batteries, some type of charge controller and an inverter. The solar panels capture the sun's energy and produce direct current or DC power. This captured power is stored in the RV's auxiliary batteries. A charge controller makes sure the RV batteries are fully charged, but not overcharged. The power inverter converts the DC power stored in the batteries to alternating current, or AC power, to be used by the RV's appliances.
Many of the inverters found in RVs today are inverter/chargers. This means they are inverters, battery chargers and a transfer switch all in one.
It is possible to drive a 35-foot motorhome and still be conscious about the environment. We as a country, and even more so as RVers, can and should protect the environment and leave it in as good of, if not better, condition than we found it. We can all do our part, in some way, to be good stewards of the land we enjoy so much.

Green RVers

RVers have always had a love of the outdoors. Almost 20% of RVers say they use solar panels to power some of their onboard systems. You can help preserve the great outdoors for future generations by following these conservation tips.

Recycle as you travel at the campgrounds or through community programs. Take note of local recycling categories; they may be different from those followed at home.

Minimize the use of disposable dishes, cups, and utensils. As convenient as they seem, they create an abundance of trash.

Keep campfires small to minimize the amount of ash and pollution. Don't put anything into the fire pit that will not burn.

Observe fire rules, which may change daily with weather conditions.

Use nontoxic cleaning supplies and tank additives.

Where pets are permitted, keep them indoors or use a screw-in stake. Tying them to trees can damage fragile bark.

Work with nature. In hot weather, use natural shade, awnings and canvas covers instead of the AC. In cold weather, park where the RV will be protected from north and west winds and warmed by sun exposure.

A recent survey showed that more than two-thirds of RVers minimize water use on trips, almost half recycle more on RV vacations than on other types and nearly half turn off home utilities before they hit the road.

In addition, 94% of all RVers travel with 2-7 people, meaning the vehicles get more people miles per gallon.

Climate change has fast become a hot issue across the world and its effects can impact everyone. While everyone is doing their little bit to be just that little more environmentally friendly, big changes still need to be made to ensure the safety of our planet for future generations.
Everyone can help, whether it be recycling, switching off the beer fridge, or turning off the lights when not in use.

Another great way we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by making our vehicles more environmentally friendly, in particular, our RVs. To find out more how we can help you achieve this goal, visit one of our stores: http://lamesarv.com/locations-motorhome-dealer or call us: (800)496-8778

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5 National Parks that Celebrate Innovation

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If there's one thing that stands out in the lifelong history of our national parks, it's the continued innovation that the parks represent. As we look back at 100 years of the National Park Service, we're reminded that the people to whom some of these parks are dedicated — individuals like the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, and George Washington Carver — didn't look back, they looked forward. So here's to the innovators, to the past hundred years, and to the future hundred.

WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MEMORIAL

NORTH CAROLINA

The eventual importance of powered flight over the last century can't be overstated. On Dec. 17, 1903, after four years of experimentation, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved what was thought to be unimaginable on an unassuming stretch of beach on the coast of North Carolina. Today, the site of that massive achievement is preserved as Wright Brothers National Memorial.

STEAMTOWN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

PENNSYLVANIA

Trains took us west and brought incalculable changes to every aspect of American life. Learn about the trains, their history, and the people who built them at Steamtown National Historic Site. Workshop tours and passenger rides on vintage locomotives make this park a can't-miss.

THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

NEW JERSEY

Thomas Edison was many things, among them a ruthless businessman and a shrewd self-promoter, but his status as a great American innovator is beyond dispute. In addition to perfecting the incandescent light bulb, Edison was behind advancements that range from the phonograph record to the alkaline battery. His home and laboratory are now open to the public at Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

SAUGUS IRON WORKS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

MASSACHUSETTS

Touring the waterwheels, active forges, and mills at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is a transportive experience, taking you back to the very beginning of the iron and steel industry in North America. It was here, along a trickling stream in the young Massachusetts Colony, that European iron workers in the Seventeenth century brought their unusual skill and innovation to the first prosperous iron works in the New World.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT

MISSOURI

Renowned for more than 100 uses for the peanut, George Washington Carver was likewise an influential educator, botanist, and humanitarian whose advances in agricultural science helped countless families sustain themselves by growing their own crops. George Washington Carver National Monument preserves this innovator's childhood home, surrounded by woods, where he developed his lifelong passion for the natural world.

BONUS: MORE HISTORIC PLACES

Lots of other places across the country reflect our history of innovation. While they are not actually national parks, these locations on the National Registry of Historic Places are, in many ways, just as important:

Motor Cities National Heritage Area - A collection of historical sites in the Detroit area, Motor Cities National Heritage Area includes the factory where Henry Ford created the Model T.

Voila Laboratory & Bureau - This national historic landmark in Washington, D.C., was constructed in 1893 under the direction of Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone.

Locust Grove - Overlooking the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, Locust Grove Estate includes the laboratory of inventor Samuel Morse.

When you visit these parks and historic sites, be sure to share your memories at FindYourPark.com. Who knows — the record of your travels might still be floating around somewhere in another hundred years.

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Wine Region Road Trips

3:54:00 PM
La Mesa RV
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RV Winter: 7 Steps for Winterizing your RV Plumbing System

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La Mesa RV
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WINTER RV TIPS: HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR RV PT. 2

It's always sad to come to the realization that another camping season is winding down. Depending on where you live, part of this realization is preparing the motorhome for winter storage so it will be ready to go camping again next spring.

A major part of winterizing your motorhome is to protect the RV water system from potential damage caused by exposure to freezing temperatures. Frozen and damaged water lines are the most common problems related to not properly winterizing your RV.

The RV plumbing system is the system that is most vulnerable to damage caused by plummeting temperatures. The good news: It's easy to protect the RV water system from this potential threat. Here are our top 7 Steps for Winterizing your RV Plumbing System.

Before you get started, here are some items you will need. These items can be found in our RV parts stores:

Non-toxic RV/marine antifreeze. The amount depends on the layout and length of your plumbing lines. Two to three gallons will normally do.

A water heater bypass kit, if not already installed.

A wand to clean out the black water holding tank, if the motorhome doesn't have a built-in cleanout system.

A water pumps converter kit or tubing to connect to the inlet side of the water pump.

Step 1: If you have any inline water filters, remove and bypass before starting. Drain the fresh-water holding tank. Drain and flush the gray and black water holding tanks. If the RV doesn't have a built-in flushing system, clean the black tank out with a wand. Drain the water heater. Open the pressure relief valve and remove the drain plug.

CAUTION:Never drain the water heater when it's hot or under pressure. With no water hooked up to the RV and the water pump off, open a hot-water faucet to remove any pressure on the system. Allow the tank to cool before draining.

Step 2: Open all hot and cold faucets; don't forget the toilet valve and outside shower. Locate and open the low point water drain lines. Use the water pump to help force most of the water out of the system, but turn it off as soon as the system is drained, to prevent damaging the pump. Recap all drains and close all faucets.

Step 3: Bypass the water heater. If you do not have a bypass kit installed, the water heater will fill up with RV antifreeze before it goes through the water lines, wasting 6 or 10 gallons of antifreeze.

Step 4: Install a water pump converter kit, or disconnect the inlet side of the water pump (the line coming from the fresh-water holding tank) and connect tubing from the water pump inlet into a 1-gallon jug of RV antifreeze.

Step 5: Turn the water pump on and pressurize the system. Starting with the closest faucet to the pump, slowly open the hot and then cold valves until the red-colored RV antifreeze appears. Replace the antifreeze container as required. Repeat on all faucets from the closest to the farthest away. Don't forget the outside shower.

Step 6: Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears. Pour a cupful of antifreeze down each drain. Pour some RV antifreeze in the toilet and flush it into the holding tank to prevent any water in the tank from freezing. If your water heater has an electric heating element, turn it off. This will protect the element if the unit is plugged in while in storage. Make sure all faucets are closed.

The RV plumbing is winterized. Next spring when it's time to head out in the motorhome you won't have any unpleasant, not to mention costly, surprises waiting for you.

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RV Winter: Tips to Prep Your Rv for Winterizing

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La Mesa RV
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Winter RV Tips: How To Winterize Your RV PT 1

With winter just around the corner, it's time to think about putting your RV into safe storage for the long cold months ahead. Especially if it will not be used. Fall is also the time of year you need to decide if your camping season is over. Parking your RV for the winter requires some preventive measures so it will be ready to use next spring. You'll also be glad you did it when you don't have costly repair bills due to the damaging results of winter. Now the question is how do you prepare it for winter, and who will be doing it?

You may be thinking "Should I take my RV back to the dealer to have it winterized?" Or is this something I can do myself?

For those intimidated by the prospect of winterizing their RV, we've compiled a few key recommendations you should add to your personal to-do lists in the coming weeks.

Engine Care

Caring for your engine is a no brainer. Make sure your radiator has anti-freeze and while you're at it make sure the oil, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid levels are topped up. A fuel stabilizer that is run through your engine for a few minutes prior to winter will also be beneficial.

TIP #1 RV Generator

If your RV is equipped with a generator you need to drain it of fuel.Left for months, fuel can turn to lacquer that will plug the jets in the carburetor. Next spring, getting it to start might require a sizable repair bill if you don't allow it to run out of gas before putting it in storage.Your RV generator may not have a fuel shut-off valve installed from the factory, but installing one is well worth the effort. With the generator running, shut off the fuel valve and allow the generator to run until it quits from lack of fuel.

Be sure to push the kill switch after it stops running — because, the electric fuel pump continues to run as long as the run button is in the ON position.

Tip #2 RV Battery

RV trailers may only have one battery, while motorhomes may have 3 or 4. For a single battery, you should disconnect and remove it to be stored in a warm environment. Make sure the water level is sufficient and that the battery is fully charged, then put it in a safe place. Make sure it's not sitting directly on a concrete floor — because that will allow the battery to slowly drain. If the garage floor is where you plan to keep it, put it on a piece of plywood.

If your motorhome is equipped with multiple batteries and a battery disconnect system, you can prepare your batteries as stated and turn off the disconnect. Installing a solar trickle charge system will help keep your batteries fully charged if the unit is parked outside. Simply set it on the dashboard where sunlight can get to it, and plug it into the cigarette lighter.

Don't forget to remove small batteries too — because they can freeze, leak, and become destroyed. Remove the batteries from TV remotes, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and don't forget the clock on the wall.

Hibernation Home

The place you store your RV over the winter is important. For those with smaller Class B and Class C motor homes, you may be lucky enough to squeeze the vehicle into your home garage. Another option is outdoor storage canopies so you can house your RV on your driveway(make sure the cover you buy is breathable in order to prevent mildew). There are a number of professional service lots or campgrounds that also offer storage facilities.

For some, due to zoning restrictions or lack of space, renting space in a storage lot is their only option. Be aware that storage facilities are not held liable for any damage to your RV for any reason. You must maintain comprehensive or storage insurance if you expect to be reimbursed in the event of vandalism, theft, fire, or any other calamity that may affect your RV while it's in storage.

Tip #3 RV Covers

Sun and snow are your RV's worst enemies. In addition to protecting your tires with tire covers, if your RV will remain outdoors throughout the winter, it's important to protect the RV itself with a cover as well.

As a less expensive alternative an inexpensive, plastic tarp will go a long way in preventing both sun damage and water infiltration from melting snow. This is an expense you definitely want to invest in, the more of your RV you cover, the better.

CAUTION: The bungee cord is the most common way of attaching a plastic tarp over an RV. The metal hooks, though plastic coated, will cause damage if allowed to rest on the finished surfaces of the exterior of your RV. Wind will move them around, and by spring there will be bare metal showing where paint should be. A simple way to avoid this damage is to take strips of old bathroom towels and wrap the hooks — securely tying them in place with string.

Clean is Key

Just as it's nice to return to a clean home after a vacation, it will be much more pleasant if you can open the doors on a tidy RV come the spring. That means you should make sure all food and drinks have been removed from your RV. Even items perceived as non-perishable can freeze and explode in cold enough climates, so you're best to remove those just in case. Once the food is out, give everything a good scrub down. Like all other dirt and grime, messiness gets tougher with time, and your spring self will appreciate your pre-winter cleaning efforts.

Tip #4 Food & Rodents Inside The RV

Remove all food items from your RV. That includes boxed dry goods as well as canned goods. Cans can freeze and split, and dry goods will keep winter rodents fat and happy.

Keeping mice out of your RV can be a real problem. They will chew up fabric or insulation to make nests, and they can damage wiring and other non-food related items as well. Setting a good multiple catch mouse trap will keep your RV secure as four-legged intruders try to make their home inside your RV.

Tip #5 RV Exterior

Over the winter months any dirt, grime, or road chemicals not removed from the exterior of your RV will continue to rust, dissolve, or discolor the finish. This will quickly age your RV and spoil that shiny new look.

In many dusty regions, county highway crews often apply calcium chloride (liquid salt) as a dust control agent on dirt roads. It can create pits and corrosion on aluminum wheels — just like winter road salt does to your car. The best protection is a good wash and wax before you store your RV for the winter.

Tip #6 RV Interior

Sun damage will cause fabrics to become brittle, plastic to yellow, and carpeting to fade inside your RV. To prevent this, lower the shades, cover the windshield and do whatever you can to keep direct sunlight from beaming into your RV.

Monitor Your RV

Check on the RV monthly. Once properly stored, a monthly visual check will prove helpful so you can catch small problems before they turn into big problems. This may include leaks from rain, vents or windows that opened in the wind, or covers that blew off.

If you are storing your RV in extremely cold climates, be sure to talk to an RV service professional, as extra preparations need to be made to protect from freezing temperatures.

For you lucky RVers in areas that don't see a cold season like Arizona or Florida, enjoy your warm winter RVing. And for those of you tucking your motorhome away, check back in the spring for how to properly "de-winterize" your RV!

A Winter Ready RV

Even the best RV "winterizes" should check their rig regularly throughout the winter months. Catching a small problem when it develops is better than discovering a full-blown problem in the spring! The tips in this blog post are general guidelines, and your specific RV owner's manual will include more detailed information for your model.

Remember you can always reach out to one of our La Mesa RV service centers in California, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico to receive a superior level of customer and RV service. Our passionate staff will help you determine how to best care for your rig in the cold months ahead.

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8 Unique & Unusual RV Destinations

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Question: Are you looking for new opportunities to explore and enjoy the RVing lifestyle?

From vintage trailers in the desert, a cowboy camp park in the West to the highest public lodge in the eastern U.S., there are plenty of crazy cool ways to spend an evening close to nature.

A park is a park is a park, right? Not when a little ingenuity and a lot of creativity meet and mingle! Who said RV destinations had to be… normal?

Whether you are camping in a tent or an RV, you will find a large number of quality campgrounds to choose from. Take your time to soak in the beauty of these incredible landmarks, and make sure to check out these top 8 unusual (or unique) destinations along the way:

1.) Dells Top Secret: Upside-Down White House- The Wisconsin Dells, a mile-long stretch of unique motels and odd tourist traps, attracts millions of visitors every year to spend time in one of America's most over the top destinations. There is truly something for everyone in Central Wisconsin, but the most interesting and mysterious attraction is without a doubt the Top Secret Upside-Down White House.

This odd attraction is a true mystery, even to those that have taken the tour. The guides walk visitors through the inverted rooms, explaining their significance and history. There is an oval office filled with robotic presidents, a storage room filled with watergate documents, and even a rotating "decontamination" room. It's said that the tour guides are encouraged to improvise on the spot, so take their information with a grain of salt.

2.) RV Museum Hall of Fame- RV's are one of the most enjoyable ways to travel. For over a century, Americans have used RV's to get around, camp in, and even live in. The RV Museum Hall of Fame in Elkhart, northern Indiana, is one of the most interesting places to see the history of RV's and their role in American transportation. Visitors are given the opportunity to go inside many of the old RV's, an experience that some describe as hopping into a time machine. This museum is a fascinating place to visit and is well worth checking out during a trip through Indiana.

3.) McDonalds Museum & Store #1- Fast food and McDonalds are synonymous. Since the first store was created in 1940, the company has expanded to 119 countries with over 35,000 outlets serving over 68 million customers daily. In 1955, Ray Croc opened the first McDonalds as an affiliate in Des Plaines, eastern Illinois. Croc had aspirations to turn the struggling restaurant into a global food chain, and in only three years, McDonald's had sold over 100 million hamburgers.

The original restaurant modernized with the times until Crocs death in 1984 when it was torn down and converted to its rebuilt form. The original McDonalds is now a museum, with display exhibits including the original worker's uniforms, fry vats, and grills. It is filled with old memorabilia that sheds light on how the company has expanded into the global icon it is today. Of course, it no longer sells food, but a new McDonalds is available right across the street.

4.) The Henry Ford Museum- One of the largest history museums in the country, the Henry Ford Museum has transformed from a drab collection of unorganized automobiles to a popular attraction worth visiting by anyone in the state of Michigan. The museum is filled with many of Fords original car concepts including the Ford X-11 50th anniversary automobile. There are also a number of historical artifacts on display, most notably the car that President JFK was killed in, and the chair that President Lincoln sat in when he was shot. The museum is a great place to learn more about the history of America's original car pioneer and the incredible progress that has been made in the automobile industry.

Long lost brother of Sam, Yosemite Yurts is fast becoming the hottest attraction at the Yosemite Lakes RV park. The five electrified yurts have a full-size futon and a bunk bed with a full lower bed outfitted with linens. There's also a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a coffeemaker. No reason to go too extreme, is there? Located in California's Gold Country, the 400-acre campground welcomes guests with well-groomed sites, friendly staff, and unparalleled scenery. You can embark on Class 5 Rafting on the Tuolumne River; casual rafting on the Merced River thru Yosemite; or cross-country skiing at Badger Pass.

Way up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits LeConte Lodge, which is a unique place to sleep for many reasons. The lodge sits at an elevation of approximately 6,400 feet making it the highest public lodge in the eastern U.S. and it is the only permanent structure where one can sleep in the Great Smoky Mountains.

At 6,593 feet elevation, Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and LeConte Lodge® is located near the summit at 6,360 feet elevation. When the movement to establish a national park in the Smokies was in full sway, a tent camp was erected where LeConte Lodge® now stands to entertain visiting dignitaries from Washington. Although LeConte Lodge® is now under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, it predates the establishment of the park in 1934.

Jack Huff, a Gatlinburg mountaineer and founder of the rustic lodge, began building the retreat in 1926. Eight years later, Jack and Pauline Huff were married at a sunrise service at LeConte's now-famous Myrtle Point, the traditional place to watch spectacular performances of daybreak. Jack, Pauline, and their family continued to operate the lodge until 1960.

Set your alarm to wake up in kitsch heaven, which is apparently located in the tiny town of Bisbee, AZ. The Shady Dell trailer park is made up of nine fully-restored vintage caravans and one cherry-red 1947 Chris Craft yacht. So, pack your poodle skirt, but not Fifi. Not pets allowed.

Even the sign at the Shady Dell is one of a kind, reminiscent of an old travel postcard. This is the place to come even if you don't own an RV: owners Jen and Justin have lovingly restored 9 antique trailers and they're each one of a kind. Their classic kitsch includes a 21' foot long Airstream that was featured in Bride's Magazine in 1949, complete with a colorful chenille bedspread and a polished aluminum ceiling. Or check out the 33' 1951 Royal Mansion, with a full-size bed, vintage martini glasses, a shaker and, of course, leopard carpeting in the living room. The Shady Dell is the 1950s come back to roaring, Technicolor life!

The beautiful rolling hills of East Texas are home to Longview, Shreveport, the beautiful Tyler rose and… The Cowboy Camp RV Park. The Old West is alive and well in this rustic little park with accommodations for 24 RVs including 7 pull-throughs… and a horse corral for those who hit the road with their steeds in tow. Everything about the park is pinewood planks and wood stoves reminiscent of the days of Billy the Kid—even the clubhouse façade (appropriately named the "The Sasparilla"_ looks like it should have swing through doors. Live, boot-stomping' music on the terrace livens up the evenings, and it's central to everything from the World's Largest Flea Market in Canton to the gators at the Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari. Of course, you could always just opt for putting on your hat, saddling up and going for a long, ramblin' ride through those pretty East Texas hills…

Bonus:

Want to find more cool and unique RV Destinations

Harvest Hosts LLC is the culmination of years of travel by Kim and Don Greene. They have visited over 80 countries together during the last 25 years and have logged over 200,000 miles in various RVs over the past decade.

These wonderful experiences allowed them to meet members of the RVing community around the world, and on our journeys across Europe, they discovered networks such as France Passion that allow motorhomes to park overnight at wineries and farms for free.

Their desire to bring this concept to North America has received widespread support from both the agri-tourism and RVing communities and we are very pleased to offer over 530 Hosts located in all the lower 48 US states, Canada, Alaska, and Baja California. Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries — Farms — Farm Wineries — Museums & Attractions.

After 40 years of refining every detail of RV service, we are uniquely qualified to provide you the ultimate in customer service that no one else can promise. With service centers located in California, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico, we're never too far from some of the most desirable RV destinations in the United States.

Our service centers feature:

A full staff of factory-trained technicians

State of the art facilities

Factory authorized warranty stations for every make that we sell (Whether you purchased from us or not)

Parts & Accessories stores

RVDA Master Certified and Certified Service Technicians

Our goal of "No Unhappy Customers" is the personal commitment of every company employee. From the Customer Service Manager that greets you on the service drive to our technicians, we all share your passion for RVing. It is a passion that inspires us to deliver every day.

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In 1972, our first store opened in La Mesa, California, a suburb of San Diego. Today, La Mesa RV Center has 12 modern RV sales locations located along most major routes within California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida!

At La Mesa RV, our dedication to service and taking care of our customers is our number one priority. Our family of employees, some of which have been with us for over 30 years, strive to make our customers feel at home. For over 44 years, "Experience Life" has been our motto as we feel this best describes what RVing is all about. Happy Trails!